OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) – Oshkosh Fire Chief Michael Stanley has been recognized as the 2021 Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs’ Association Chief of the Year.
The award selection criteria emphasize leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, service to the public and contributions to the fire service as a whole. Nominees for the award are reviewed by a selection panel comprised of Fire Chiefs from throughout the state.
“Chief Stanley has met the challenges of the past year, and is poised to continue to deliver public safety services – as well as innovative programs – into the future,” said Oshkosh City Manager, Mark Rohloff.
“It really was a shock for me, and I’m incredibly humbled and honored to receive that recognition,” Stanley told WTAQ News. “There are so many fire chiefs across the state that are out there working every day to keep their firefighters safe, enhance the services for their community, and they bring a lot of passion and devotion to the job.”
That devotion also comes during a time where the job is consistently evolving to address different issues in an ever-changing world.
“Whether it’s fire stations, fire trucks, the equipment we use, the protective equipment – it changes moment to moment, especially as we identify new threats,” Stanley said. “Whether it’s things emerging like cybersecurity, active shooters, or special events management. It’s really changed the landscape, so it’s not just about putting out fires.”
And getting that job done isn’t the only focus Stanley has implemented during his time in Oshkosh. He’s also taken steps to improve the diversity and inclusion of the department to better match the community, and worked to address issues surrounding the higher risks of cancer and potential mental health impact of the job.
“We’ve spent a lot of time in my tenure here trying to address that so we can keep our most valuable resource, our firefighters, healthy and safe,” Stanley said.
Stanley says he feels ‘truly blessed’ to be the fire chief in Oshkosh, and that he has the best job in the world.
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